Laptops Nappies and Paradise

The word paradise means different things to different people. The snow covered peaks of the Rocky Mountains won’t hold the same appeal to a surf lover as crashing waves of Bali. Much the same as the rocking nightlife in Bangkok may not appeal to the parents of young kids. The point is everyone has their own paradise. We are currently in search of our next paradise and the next after  [ Read More ]

  Do You Have a Bucket List? I have to admit that I have always balked a bit at the idea of bucket lists. Basically it’s a list of things you want to do before you die, which always felt a bit morbid to me. And yet, I definitely have simultaneously had a fascination with bucket lists. I really like reading other people’s bucket lists, getting inspiration from them and  [ Read More ]

The first step of any journey is often the hardest step to take and the step to location independence is no different.  The risk of the unknown, the fear of losing what you left behind and the overall sense of uncertainty at what lies ahead are enough to discourage the majority of people from taking the leap.  Any stepping stones you can add along the way can provide you with  [ Read More ]

Over the last couple of weeks, with the help of a few new wonderful members to our business, we have been doing some long overdue work: reviewing the systems we use internally to run our business (and sometimes our lives) and upgrading, improving, solidifying and training people on how to use them. So, wanted to share my favorites for all you entrepreneurs out there trying to run location independent businesses  [ Read More ]

Carrie and I have been very good about having personal “annual reviews” where we look over our finances, create goals for the coming year and for +/- 5 years ahead, reflect on what is or is not working and try to quantify what will make us happy and then write down the steps to get us there.  Thinking about goals from past years – met or unmet – has made  [ Read More ]

I just came back from a 10 day trip to the US. These trips are always crammed with visits with friends and family; our attempt to keep in as close contact with all the people we care about, but condensed into 25-30 days a year instead of 365. Every trip like this is bittersweet. I am enjoying living abroad (have been abroad since 2002- 10 years!) but every time I  [ Read More ]

This week’s post is the third in a three part series about how to set yourself a runway to become location independent. Missed the first two posts? Here they are: Part 2: Raising Capital AND Part 1: Low Cost Long Runway. This option is for people who are either full time students or have a job and an idea. The idea here is that you can work on your business  [ Read More ]

So, for the last couple of years we have prided ourselves on our “no stuff” mentality- we’ve travelled pretty light, especially considering toddler in tow, keeping to just the true necessities and allowing us to stay nimble. I don’t want to say that’s all over, because I think it’s a temporary state, but it’s fair to say our “nimble” days are on pause for a little while. How did we  [ Read More ]

I spoke with a few people this week about living abroad and the general consensus was that Carrie and I have “guts.”  I disagree, sort of.  I think that the first step – deciding to live abroad, as well as to go off on our own and start a business – takes a bit of guts.  Even if you are going to live in a place that you have visited  [ Read More ]

Even though I am now pretty used to trying to sort ourselves out doctor wise in multiple countries/languages (currently 24 weeks pregnant- I had to figure out how to buy a pregnant test in Bali, Indonesia- hint: bring a pregnancy test with you, otherwise it might be more effective to go to a medicine doctor; had my first baby scan in Sydney, second in Hong Kong, and third in Argentina),  [ Read More ]